Mayor unveils plaque to commemorate Oldham’s Peterloo martyrs

The Plaque unveiling to commemorate an important part of Manchester's historical past at the Crossley Centre in Chadderton

Councillors joined Great Places Housing Group and members from the Peterloo Memorial Society at the Crossley Community Centre in Chadderton to unveil a plaque in commemoration of Oldham residents who were among those who lost their lives at the Peterloo Massacre on August 16, 1819.

The plaque mounted at the Crossley Centre is close to where two local residents joined the other 80,000 peaceful pro-democracy and poverty protestors in a march to demand political reform at St Peter’s Field in Manchester.

The two Chadderton residents - John Ashton, a weaver, aged 42, and Thomas Buckley, a gardener, aged 62 - were sadly among the 18 killed when the cavalry were given orders to charge into the crowd in an attempt to break up with protest.

Ryan Smith, Head of Neighbourhoods for the central region at Great Places Housing Group, said: “The Crossley Centre has always been about celebrating the local community and bringing people together.

"Chadderton has a proud history and when we found out about the link to local people playing a role in the Peterloo rally, we felt we had to do something to highlight this for current and future generations.

"Several relatives of local members of the suffragettes attended the Peterloo rally, and there is a clear link to local people playing such an important role in working for universal freedom and suffrage – something that is even more prevalent in today’s society given the current social and political landscape.

"The sacrifice made by John Ashton, who lived at Cowhill, now known as Crossley, and Thomas Buckley from Bare Trees, who set off to march from the Dog Inn just round the corner, is as important today as it was in 1819. 

"As a borough, we should continue to celebrate our rich historical tapestry actively and we hope that this plaque goes some way in doing just that.”

Cllr Peter Dean, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, said: “We have a proud history in Oldham of standing up for social justice.

"Peterloo might have been over 200 years ago, but we should never forget what happened, or the people who lost their lives.

“This plaque is a permanent reminder of the sacrifice made by Oldhamers to give us a fairer society and the democratic rights we have today.

"Their legacy should never be taken for granted.”

Zahid Chauhan, Mayor of Oldham said: “It’s a great honour to be here at the Crossley Centre to unveil the plaque, especially meeting all the key people involved and revisiting the history behind the Peterloo Massacre.”

Paul, the Chair of the Peterloo Memorial Society, said: "The Peterloo Memorial Campaign are delighted to see these two brave local lads who lost their lives in the struggle for democracy being remembered and honoured in this way."

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